Parcells instead picked Tony Sparano, a friend from his days with the Cowboys, leaving him to reccomend Ryan for the Jets a year later.

Parcells was asked if he would have picked Ryan if he were not so close with Sparano.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Parcells said, according to the interview.

Ryan has coached the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship games, their first since Parcells led them there after the 1998 season.

Parcells, who gave his opinion on Ryan to Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, said he’s not surprised.

“I was very impressed with Rex when I met with him,” Parcells said. “I could just sense that, ‘Hey, this guy’s going to have a chance.'”

Parcells’ Giants had a heated rivalry with the Eagles when they were coached by Rex’s father, Buddy.

“What made Buddy a dangerous adversary was that he knew what he was looking for personnel-wise, and Rex is the same way,” Parcells said. “That’s a pretty good head start for Rex because there are quite a few coaches in this league who don’t know what they’re looking for.”

The report says Rex Ryan called Parcells for advice during last season and was told to get more involved in the Jets offense to become a complete head coach.

Parcells reduced his role in the Dolphins front office this season but has hinted he could coach again.